Outdoor cooking apparatus with rotating grate

ABSTRACT

An outdoor grill apparatus includes a grate that is vertically adjustable and also rotatably supported over an open fire. The support system of the apparatus includes a spade for stably engaging the ground, one or more interconnected poles extending from the spade for height, and a laterally extending cantilevered pole adapted to extend over a fire pit. A cable extends through the laterally extending pole to a handle on the vertical pole. The other end of the cable extends down over the fire pit, and supports a battery operated motor, which in turn supports a grate hung on chains. The handle adjustably engages the pole, such that the grate is adjustable. The grill apparatus can be broken apart for compact storage, such as in a three-inch deep carry case.

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/908,747, filed Mar. 29, 2007, entitled OUTDOORCOOKING APPARATUS WITH ROTATING GRATE, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to outdoor cooking apparatus, such as maybe used to cook over an open fire.

People love the taste of outdoor cooking. However, outdoor cooking isnot easy for a number of reasons. The cooking apparatus shouldpreferably be portable, yet sturdy and able to withstand abuse and longterm use. Also, outdoor cooking is not easy since temperatures of thefire and coals vary widely, resulting in burned food unless the food isconstantly turned and tended.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an outdoor cooking apparatusincludes a support frame with horizontal section adapted for positioningover a fire pit, a motor including an upper end attached to thehorizontal section and a lower end, and a grate hanging from the lowerend, the motor being operable to rotate the grate.

In another aspect of the present invention, an outdoor cooking apparatusincludes a multi-piece support frame configured to stably engage an areaof ground, a bracket for hanging from the support frame over a fire pit,a grate, and a grate support for hanging the grate below the supportframe. The apparatus also includes a carry case including pockets forreceiving each of the support frame, the bracket, the grate, and thegrate support for dense and compact storage when taken apart. In anarrower form, the carry case is at most about 4 inches thick, and morepreferably is only about 3 inches thick.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present apparatus for outdoorcooking positioned over a fire pit.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present apparatus of FIG. 1 brokendown and stored in an open carry case.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carry case from FIG. 2 but foldedclosed.

FIGS. 4-7 are enlarged views of the lower section, the vertical tubesection, the upper U-shaped section, and the handle from FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a modified upper U-shaped section that istelescopingly extendable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present cooking apparatus 20 is configured to support a grate 23over an open outdoor fire at an adjustable height, with the grate 23being rotatable to help evenly cook food on the grate. The apparatus 20breaks down into sections that fit flat into a shallow plastic case.

More specifically, the apparatus 20 (FIGS. 1-2) includes a lower section21, an upper section 22, a grate 23, a rotisserie motor 24, and a handle25. The lower section 21 includes a spade 27 and lower rod 28. The rod28 is sufficiently solid to allow the lower section 21 to be poundedinto the ground with a hammer or mallet. The upper section 22 includes apair of linear tubes 29 and 30 that telescopingly fit into each otherand onto the lower rod 28, and further includes a U-shaped tube 31shaped to fit into a top of the top tube 30, with the sections 21-22combining to form a support frame for holding the grate 23 over a fire.The upper section 22 also includes an internal cable 32 that extends outboth ends of the section 22. The motor 24 is self contained and includesa battery (potentially a rechargeable battery) within its casingcompartment. Thermal shielding can be provided on the battery casing orbelow the motor (such as a heat-deflector panel) if desired. A first Shook 33 secures the motor 24 to an end 32A of the cable 32. The grate 23is attached to a second S hook 34 on the other end of the motor 24, andsupports the grate 23 by use of three (or more) chains 35 attached toits edges. The other end 32B of the cable 32 hooks to the handle 25. Thehandle 25 includes a hole for fitting over the tube 29 (or 30). Themarginal material around the hole in the handle 25 includes an edgeconfigured to bite into the tube 29 (or 30) when the cable 32 istensioned by the grate 23. The handle 25 can be easily and rapidlyadjusted up or down the tube 29 by pivoting the handle 25 to a releaseposition, relocating the handle, and then letting go (which causes aweight of the grate to bias the handle 25 back into a locking positionon the tube 29).

The apparatus 20 (FIG. 2) breaks apart into multiple pieces that can belaid flat for compact storage. A briefcase-like carry case 40 includesfront and rear portions 41 and 42 with pockets for receiving the variousparts 21-25, 29-30, 34-35. Hinges 43 (potentially integrally-formedliving hinges) are provided on one side, and a pair of latches 44 (FIG.3) are provided on the other side. The latches 44 each include anintegrally molded buckle 45 and integrally molded stub 46 for engagingthe associated buckle for releasable retention. A U-shaped handle 47 isalso molded onto the portion 41. The carry case is preferably at mostabout 4 inches thick, and more preferably is only about 3 inches thick.

It is contemplated that the upper section 22 can be supported by a pairof lower sections 21, one being on each side of the fire, if desired. Itis also contemplated that some aspects of the present invention can beused on different support frames.

A modified adjustable-length U-shaped tube 31A (FIG. 8) is configured toreplace the tube 31. The modified tube 31A includes first and secondL-shaped sub-tubes 60 and 61 with tubular end sections 62 and 63,respectively, shaped to telescopingly adjustably fit together in anested position. A series of holes 64 and 65 are formed in the endsections 62 and 63 of the sub-tubes 60 and 61. An interlock 66 includesa pull ring 67 and a shaft 68 for extending through an aligned pair ofthe holes 64 and 65 for interlock connection. The shaft 68 is sized toprovide a friction fit to prevent inadvertent release. This arrangementallows the overhang distance provided by the adjustable tube 31A to beadjusted for different sized fire pits. The carry case can be modifiedto accept the modified tube 31A, including the interlock 66.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

1. An outdoor cooking apparatus comprising: a support frame including ahorizontal section adapted for positioning over a fire pit; a motorincluding an upper end attached to the horizontal section, and a lowerend; and a grate attached to the lower end, the motor being operable torotate the grate.
 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the motoris electrical.
 3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, including a batteryoperably connected to the motor to power the motor.
 4. The apparatusdefined in claim 3, wherein the battery is shielded in a same containeras the motor.
 5. The apparatus defined in claim 1, including a cableextending between the motor and the grate.
 6. An outdoor cookingapparatus comprising: a support frame configured to stably engage anarea of ground; a bracket for hanging from the support frame over a firepit; a grate; a grate support for hanging the grate below the supportframe; and a carry case including pockets for receiving each of thesupport frame, the bracket, the grate, and the grate support for denseand compact storage when not in use.
 7. The apparatus defined in claim6, including a motor with a casing incorporating the bracket.
 8. Theapparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the bracket includes hooks thatattach the motor to a horizontal section of the support frame.
 9. Theapparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the support frame includes apointed spade for stably engaging soil and includes a rod connected tothe spade for receiving sharp blows from a hammering object to drive thespade into the soil.
 10. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein thesupport frame includes telescopingly-releaseably-connected verticaltubes.
 11. The apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein the support frameincludes a laterally extending tube releaseably connected to thevertical tubes.
 12. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the gratesupport includes a plurality of chains.
 13. The apparatus defined inclaim 6, wherein the carry case includes opposing mating halves withmating, integrally-formed latch components thereon.